Adobe InDesign CS4 review

Adobe saves itself from the embarrassment of Quark providing superior output options with the introduction of XFL. This is a new XML-based interchange format designed for Flash handling and is intended as the eventual replacement for the binary FLA.

What this means for InDesign CS4 is that you can export an entire publication to XFL and open it directly in Flash CS4 Professional with each spread coming through as a movie clip. You can then edit the text and graphics and add animation, scripting and video playback.

Again the system is by no means perfect - while text is editable, for example, that's currently only possible on a line-by-line basis - and you need
a copy of Flash Professional. However, such deep integration between InDesign and Flash leaves QuarkXPress 8 trailing.

In fact, that's true generally of this release: despite the occasional shortcoming, the improvements and enhancements to InDesign CS4 means it remains a step ahead of Quark and looks set to further strengthen its hold on the publishing industry. The fact that it's significantly cheaper merely serves to seal the deal.

Click below for the rest of our CS4 reviews:

Adobe CS4 Master Collection
Design Standard / Design Premium CS4
Photoshop CS4
Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended
Adobe Illustrator CS4
Adobe InDesign CS4

Author: Tom Arah